Chapter 8
Bernard grumbled in the corner as102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1x89LUurPW
he cleaned the vomit from off his shoe. Another servant had been summoned to102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNWZEhOY1M
clean up the mess while Vander was given some water to drink. The rancid smell102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ901HH2S1D
from the King’s chest hadn’t left his nose and it was making him woozy.
“What happened in here?” Peyton102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcJ6Pyn16M
asked. Topal spent some time explaining everything that the two of them had102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDj7lVUokEL
discovered while Vander hugged the bucket.
“So, there were two things put102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMgIDKFrU8
together that caused this mess.” Bernard sighed. “Is there anyway to cure him?”
“Doctor.” Vander closed his mouth102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6G731lA9l
to keep the bile from coming out. “I need you to start making the remedy for102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9d5zJ7wr5
him, please.” He wheezed. “I don’t think I can take much more of the smell.” He102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00A1mOuDU5
pulled a trash bucket closer to him just in case he needed it.
“I’ve never dealt with his kind of102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrxse1Pgve
poison before.” Topal shook his head. “I have no idea how to fix it. You102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNjuqNHOCCF
figured it out, do you have any notion?” Vander closed his eyes allowing the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0l5nnyj9ul
smell to envelope him. Despite being the Deity of Beasts, Unna’s gifts came102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1EMMIUU6G
with another perk. It allowed him to work wonders with poisons and their cures,102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKLJRXJxWy
a leftover from how close she is with her aunt, Lyshena.
“We need something to strengthen102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaQUVfftYh
and clear his lungs.” Vander’s voice sounded far away. “Take some wild102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdehRYhi7TD
cherries, horehound, and mullein, then boil a pot of boiling sea water. All the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJif9Ku2Kks
King to inhale the vapors until he coughs out all the black goo covering his102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6fZBqUZsi
lungs. To wake him up, you will need to soak him in a tub filled with more salt102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdywZ6jrTY
water and lavender extract. He should recover.” Vander slumped forward then102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOd2DG3tnU0
jerked to the left filling the bucket with more vomit.
“Are you sure?” Bernard asked.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTn3wdHhIcu
“That seems like a very simple remedy for something like this.”
“It’s not simple at all.” Topal102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr80snPRzyV
shook his head. “I never would have thought to sting these together to cure a102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiyjRbBv9Q
poison. I would have looked for a cure all and likely would have flailed around102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnc5D9f782
while he died under my care.”
“Are you blessed by Lyshena?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwk07mzHOIo
Bernard asked. He checked over his shoe before grunting in appreciation. He102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rTTZgUxek
might have been a stick in the mud, but he knew how to clean up. “That’s the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhRkXcHyeV
only way this would make sense.”
“You can’t tell anyone about102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbRSMcIqX6
this.” Vander said. He shared a knowing glance with Topal. “He doesn’t want102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsPZr9dMfn
special treatment because of who he is blessed by, I hope you will keep the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvYsQyiD79
secret.”
“If it helps me save Malcolm’s102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeksJE7qT8f
life, I will keep this secret to the grave.” Topal smiled. “And if Bernard102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEyRX2biYT
doesn’t, I know how to get rid of a body.” Bernard choked on his saliva,102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweMAkcSJzf
coughing until his face turned bright red.
“That’s uncalled for.” He laughed.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGBY5Lg8Ww
“I can keep a secret; you don’t have to worry about me.” There was quick knock102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5RujfPMF7
before Charles opened the door to slip back inside.
“What did you find out?” Vander102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAcwVnnBu1
got up from the table to stand by his grandfather.
“No one has seen the taste tester102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmOAkzEXcy
since the night the King fell ill.” Charles explained. “We should go down to102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5q9fCVvIha
the servants’ quarters and check up on him.”
“I forgot,” Bernard snapped his102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfiIIUJhcW
fingers. “There was a third person with me to visit Malcolm, a new servant.”
“Why didn’t you mention this102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dtr9Ds9LA
before?” Peyton turned to the man anger rising in his voice.
“I didn’t think he was important.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BmXRxhlQ4
Bernard shot back. “I just remembered I left the tea in his hands while I102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXLcCc7F1h
opened the door. I didn’t think there was enough time for him to slip something102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvcztRnsHH
into it, but, thinking back on it, he had it long enough to slip something into102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzq1KlhZZjc
it. How much was needed to poison the King?”
“A small amount, any amount.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgCdAapXP3
Vander said. “As long as it was ingested at the same time as the ocecrest, it102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuahiClzWeE
would have done the trick.”
“Do you know who it was?” Charles102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiym2Vld8c
asked. “The name of the servant?”
“The king likes to meet any new102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGyzZskEfx
worker to get their story as well as their struggle.” Bernard folded his arms102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHvOE54Gyy
over his chest. “I believe his name was Nigel. He should be living in the same area102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwX53N2CmEd
as the tester who is named Ulysses. I will help Topal get the items needed to102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXLdmAjdUc
cure the King, you find the people that could be responsible for this.”
“Let’s go, Vander.” Charles went102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMdZDi7YMB
to help Vander up, but he clutched the bucket and emptied the rest of his102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDsiAEsobr
stomach contents inside.
“Get him out of here.” Bernard102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa9w8cGg6II
looked quite green himself, so Charles pulled Vander outside, making sure to102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYvMb17DKj
leave the bucket in the room.
Vander was grateful for the fresh102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MRf97enRD
air that being in the hallway brought. He leaned up against the wall breathing102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4mnClVqUBD
its cool crisp air. Charles looked at him sadly. “I never knew how much this102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XepUNyodE
curse affected you. Seeing you like this just-“
“Don’t worry about it, Gramps.” He102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5LyBbjr0c
pushed off from the wall then clasped his grandfather’s shoulder. “It has more102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGm085DpVKE
perks than drawbacks. Let’s get going.”
As he walked, the feeling of102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jAzSnMaoL
becoming himself gradually returned. Chanelling the abilities of Unna, no102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJnaxEsLor
matter how small, always took it out of him, but this was the first time he102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWm6ud2VYi
felt quite so rough afterwards. He was going to have to do something that would102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6PfwNqrFq
return the blessing she had given him, but she didn’t accept anything other102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZte00UMSVb
than sex or a blood sacrifice. He didn’t want to bring Julianna back into this,102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5DU5UGNWj
so the only other option was to visit the pits, something he avoided as much as102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIymBpIw58m
possible, but if he didn’t he could lose more than just his mind by ignoring102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEi2fWGR1m
the deities’ needs. It had happened before when he was younger, and it couldn’t102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95nVbck8ZY
happen again.
Charles had told102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4R2f36NYH8
him what had been going on since the past month or so within the Kingdom. Many102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbHu3FydWC7
of the Blades had been dispatched to the Warden’s to bring them here, which was102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaICocTpHBR
the main reason there were more soldiers guarding the keep recently. The soldiers102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLASL7ZSQl6
were on high alert and were making everyone uncomfortable, but they were doing102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWNnR8XZv83
their job, not willing to risk the wrath of the King if anything went wrong.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqNQdpDvYd
Merchants came from all over to offer their services to the crown ranging from102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQEf9ZhNzN
food to decorations and, in some instances, jewelry for the eventual Queen. A102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKftQsb24VO
lot of those were centered within the Grand Ballroom.
They arrived at102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0HMcQbYmTu
the Grand Ballroom where many of the servants were stationed for the next few102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL8AFh9iNp
days as they prepared for the prince and his new bride’s arrival. It appears102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ9WCSZnReJ
the kingdom was spared to expense for this extravagant part as everyone of102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvNNM1FROgy
importance from all over the Kingdom was visiting, The walls on the left half102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4ZHpkWjKF
were being draped in brilliant red and gold banners with Atza’s symbol, the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPqkPUX35e
lioness with a golden crown on her head. The right half was being draped with102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vU4wWiiEs
cool blue and white banners with Humjir’s symbol, and the Elan family crest, a102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQIN6qvkVu
white dove with an olive crown on its head. The symbolic nature of the marriage102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodC3nuMv8U
between two rival countries wasn’t lost on anyone and they were taking great102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzj6HsEs8by
care not to offend either deity.
“Where should we102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxs6LKp8d12
start?” Charles looked around the room with a troubled expression on his face. There102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJaCkWHEcsD
were too many people to question as they were looking for two people, albeit102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxsZvQyvCl
important, but around here, anyone could disappear if they wished it. Vander102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8XFO7GBxc
spotted the servant who seemed to be in charge, an older gray-haired woman102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTbQk8g1Jy
holding a clipboard, quill, and bottle of ink. There were two other servants102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AT64kmoXs
standing next to her ready to carry out her orders.
“We start with102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNioUHdoWM8
her.” Vander nodded towards his grandfather.
“With Beatrice?”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3UdI5Sj8d
Charles frowned. “She is Bernard’s right hand and his sister. If anyone knew102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8F7uriz760
where those two are, it would be here. Let’s go talk to her.” The two of them102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqMrUXwURB
walked over as she started yelling orders:
“Make sure those102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPBKwyNw87
banners are crease free,” she snapped. “I won’t have this place looking unkept102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIN2w0KUrq9
for when the prince and princess arrive.” She turned around to see two female102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIMInLNfno
servants leaning up against the wall whispering to each other. “You two, if you102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uG0Oy61uD
are done for the day you can go home, and I’ll dock your pay!”
“Sorry ma’am.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWR4AyiByAv
They curtsied then went back to folding their napkins.
“As for you two.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdu7eJdZXlF
She didn’t even turn around to greet them. “What can I do for the Blades this102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtiUcO8AyO
morning? As you can see I am quite busy so make this quick.”
“We are looking102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGY7WjifrQi
for two servants and we are wondering if you have seen them around?” She looked102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVeoXPBBCqd
up at Vander from under her wire rimmed glasses.
“I’ve seen many102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5fCzK1zCqZ
servants, be more specific.” She demanded.
“Nigel and102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWUAziMMcr
Ulysses.” She clicked her tongue, but then quickly scribbled a note then handed102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp08zJwAW4X
it over to the servant next to her. “Bring this to the baker quickly. I forgot102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PIHBdrMxQ
she needed our order.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeg88qquaxU
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8rUY0iZQu
“Yes102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfQlgjEyMJ
ma’am.” The servant bowed then scurried away.
“I haven’t seen102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHv5yOyWSx3
Ulysses for a couple of weeks, something about being sick.” She explained. “I102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscK6oYOUDo
sent for the doctor, but there was nothing he could do for him. As for Nigel,102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBad5B0TOZi
he should be in the kitchen helping the cooks. Why?”
“Thank you.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlmN2xQlD5W
Vander and Charles ran towards the door that would lead downstairs and towards102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjWE9TC61J
the kitchen leaving a confused Beatrice standing behind them.
“Blades.” she102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCS023NuNuU
muttered. She looked around to see more of her servants standing around, so she102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPmEZtcki46
walked over towards them.
“Do you think102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQkJYfyDER
Ulysses is dead?” Charles asked once he knew they were out of ear shot.
“He might not102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RPLEpgxOZ
have had enough of the poison to render him comatose, but he could still get102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcptj2gE0nI
deathly ill from it.” Vander explained. “But let’s find Nigel first since he is102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8jXZCOUSY
the one we suspect of the poison.”
“How do you want102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjzRMyJXRH
to handle this?”
“You go in and102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1KyVJTEG4
talk to him.” Vander said. “He should be a little intimidated of you and if102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmw8Kev4eux
cornered, he will likely try to run. I will be there to keep him from escaping.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZW4dKdcCs
There is no telling what he might do, so be on your guard.”
“I know how to102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKk2hIBZ4VC
handle myself.” Charles scoffed. “You just worry about yourself.”
The two of them102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRBuTIuYY4
made their way down towards the kitchens which you had to pass through to get102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdQxwFBEkP
to the servants’ quarters. There were other ways of getting there, but this was102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnY8Y9OuhG
the most direct way from the King’s quarters. Despite the castle being large,102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Eov8gEvWR
based on the sheer number of servants required, it wasn’t feasible to give them102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUWroA8gYt
their own room. Often there would be two or sometimes three servants per room102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqRLidhWiN
segregated based on gender, thought nighttime activities between them wasn’t102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7b2gQQzscR
uncommon.
As they made102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUSCwdLLR3
their way into the kitchen, the head chef, known because of her oversized hat,102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1yTQ4roxGD
was looking down at a piece of parchment with a quill in her hands. The others102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzfuZd5cNAs
were bustling around her trying not to draw attention to themselves as they102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JKDVKceH8
worked. It looked as though they were preparing for lunch as several of them102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOKpagQssy
were chopping up raw pieces of meat on the counter while others were collecting102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrnHatiBKa
vegetables to go into a stew. The two of them walked straight through, not even102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMHmYsqlhP
bothering to greet the chef as they made their way towards the servant’s area.
As soon as the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvu106Auo0
saw the first door, Vander knew they had hit a roadblock. The doors weren’t102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDyR9XRWYC
labeled or named. They had no way of knowing which room belonged to Nigel or102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYn9lgezEre
Ulysses. Charles stood there frowning; how did they not know the quarters were102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZRMfDuNht
like this? It was a major blunder, but perhaps not all was lost. Vander tried102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXFPYajSx4
each door to see if it was locked. Servants weren’t allowed to lock their doors102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXZj04U2zM
if they were needed, but he figured if one of them needed to hide something,102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrbO2xapZ2r
they wouldn’t leave the door open for all to see. It was a huge gamble, but by102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡik3hbbklQX
the time he got to the last door, it paid off. It was locked and he could smell102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tVkcLvr2M
something rip coming from inside.
“Watch the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh4Pbjjmo4K
kitchen for me.” Vander whispered to his grandfather. Charles nodded his head102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSj8JM48iB
then used his frame to block the view. Testing the door one more time just to102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZS3wiChUm
make sure it was locked; Vander shoulder checked the door several times until102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNj2CqQ3mh
he heard the latch break. Rubbing his aching shoulder, he kicked the remainder102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpisUFxUp5
open until it was hanging sideways. That’s when the full weight of rotting102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBBdX8mvML
human hit him so hard he puked for the fourth time today. Charles heard him and102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6aG3fZHsu
came racing over.
“What in the name102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVs6HXbqKy9
of Humjir is this?” Lying on one of the beds was a servant, Vander’s guess was102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLjvSVcp0bD
Ulysses, who didn’t fare as well ingesting the poison because no one was102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftfOVgbpDk
looking for him. His body had swelled up in death and his face was deep purple.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFt7Ecnsns
He was shirtless showing off a physique that wasn’t normal for the serving102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2kLTVwKAHs
class with scars crisscrossing his body. There still appeared to be evidence102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50Z0sEvzo3
that someone was still living in this room despite the stench due to the empty102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQWFqYVRlr
plate with food that had molded, and clothing rumpled in the corner. How anyone102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKAY0jzeEi
could live like this was beyond him.
“Vander go get102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxoQPgrRaAx
someone to seal off this room before you puke over anything else.” Charles102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAyGzenuNG
ordered. Thankfully for being allowed to leave he did as he was asked. Some of102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8yOmJlKjv
the servants who were on break were crowding the hallway curious to see what102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cTx58MVUQ
was going on.
“Clear out of the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqanC0UUtdV
way.” Vander shouted. “Someone grab Blades who are walking around and tell them102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHaUoVDWXTa
to come here.” When no one moved, he was forced to use his authority. “Now!” He102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7ZBcIm8aA
screamed. They scattered to do as they were ordered, but one stayed behind. He102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6A8G4xcqy3
was a tall man, muscular, with brown hair and green eyes. Upon seeing Vander,102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpk7c0Dy75K
he froze.
“What are you102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlh4qKqdwtB
doing down there?” he asked.
“Are you Nigel?”
“What’s it to102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGdU8M1FgM
you?” he asked.
“As Captain of102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsHDMoYK7pC
the Blades I am detaining you as a suspect in the murder of Ulysse’s.” he said.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1Me6IGKI6
“Stay right there.” As a surprise to no one, Nigel bolted back the way he came.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChO5zIyJp9
Cursing to himself, Vander vaulted over the counter to give chase leaving a very102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKUL9YxQ5N
irate chef picking up her paper covered in ink.
Nigel was fast.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyil7f9sra5
He raced through the halls, ducking into doorways, and changing directions like102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBEFciJGaX
some intimately familiar with the castle layout. It was one of the times Vander102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEi1zYa0dp4
wished he had brought Shea with him despite the risk, but for now he was on his102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDkStdyYXj
own. He knew that he was faster, but all of today’s activities were beginning102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNaVU8EDoc
to take its toll on him. He was feeling weak and sluggish, but he didn’t dare102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6ybneOxD4
let Nigel get away, not when he held such vital clues. But no one knew the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hCNjTGdya
castle better than he did, so once he recognized where Nigel was going, the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKsBB9O3m9
gardens, Vander took a left up a flight of stairs. It leads to a balcony with102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNY3v6dIMv
open space which would give him the opportunity he needed. Once he saw that he102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVK4se7D6y
and Nigel were neck and neck, he willed his body forward, borrowing some energy102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSI17oo6qf
from Unna, then launched himself off the balcony and down towards Nigel.
The two of them102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOEbtkPaPH
collided and Vander was sent flying into the garden itself landing on a bush.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdn2abtwYhr
If it had been the ground he would have been in trouble, but the worst he’d102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFpGFN1oem
have now was a couple of bruises on his back. He got to his feet then placed102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB66gS7xBsx
his hand on the hilt of his sword. Nigel was groaning out in pain, slowly102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4XvQIUMlB
trying to get to his, but the hit he had just taken must have taken all the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7PYn60jga
fight out of him.
“Alright, I’ll102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSYHoLxKuo
come with you.” he gasped. Vander hauled him to his feet.
“Why did you have102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQIppCXjLb
to make this more difficult for yourself?” Vander asked.
“Because they102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYOsPZvcTLt
will kill me if I talk.” Nigel groaned. Vander shoved him up against the wall.
“Who will?”
“You don’t know102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZqE4CkBYGI
them.” Nigel grabbed his arm. “They will kill everyone I love, and they are in102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvZirO7Ezn
places of power you could only dream of.” His eyes widened as he stared at102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDveY3D9zc
someone standing behind them. “No.” Vander turned around, but something whizzed102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrvrTfXXfS
right past his face. He felt something wet hit the side of his face. He turned102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWAAHqcmcE
around to see Nigel gurgling blood with two knives embedded in his throat. His102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUS4gy2fb91
eyes grew wide as he mouthed the words: Run. He slumped to the ground dead.
“That wasn’t102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Td8q1m0XR
smart.” Vander turned to face the assassin. They were wearing all black and102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJh3mbMtRY
their faces were covered. They held two more knives in their hands along with a102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaan3YogNJa
sword strapped to their backs. “Now you’re going to have to answer the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77btggyM6n
questions meant for him.” They tilted their heads but gripped the knives102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHa23gsatkV
tightly. He made the first move. He drew102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYky1A3jmH0
his sword as he charged them. The assassin just brought their knives up to102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35WaAPhxzz
deflect the shot. Their leg shot out hitting Vander in the knuckles causing him102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbr6wO25r4
to yell out in pain then drop his sword.
He didn’t let102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHMxI7qM0o
that stop him. He grabbed their wrist to keep one of the knives away from his102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVA8oARLUL
body. Using his strength, he squeezed the wrist until they were forced to let102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wmXgzFRa0
the knife go, then he brought his shoulder into their chest and threw them over102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXZz8zcRsO
his back and onto the ground. However, their feet landed squarely protecting102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvN07ja6mi
them from hitting the cobblestone. In his surprise, Vander didn’t react quick102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIFbGNQloH
enough when they flipped over him then wrapped their legs around his neck then102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxcVK2p4Wd
began raining elbows on top of his head. He brought his arms up to deflect102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUs0Ca4OXI
before deciding to charge into the wall. The assassin didn’t let up even as he102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3v1xdhNnO
jumped off the wall and landed on the ground. He heard the crack of their back102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1Y6ghUNaA
as they landed, and their legs eased up their assault. Vander coughed and102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOCkSEWKSS
wheezed as he massaged his throat to breathe.
“Enough of this.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgNpxP6KmG
The assassin groaned, but steadily made their way to their feet. They had a102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrltpAtdTHz
soft voice, almost feminine, which confused him. He remembered the voice, but102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZtm7p0ddV
he couldn’t tell from where. They drew the sword from their back and held it in102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlX5pR5RLt
Vander’s face. “I was supposed to leave you, but you’ve pissed me off enough.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnbBlEkuEF
Die.” They lunged at him, but they left an opening for Vander to roll to the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6fjDAW7vM
side to grab his sword. He brought it up just in time to deflect the strike the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkU2giUzzm
assassin aimed at him. He punched their ribs causing them to stumble sideways.102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0S2gbahzYp
He then swept out their legs causing them to again fall on their back.
Two blurs sped102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE97ba1eS22
out from their hand, and he was barely quick enough to dodge. He could smell102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiRMMhQOaG
the poison emanating from them and he knew those weren’t something he wanted to102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaCrHezu8TO
get hit by. They got to their feet, but he could tell that they had been102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb9gmmCH6Vh
injured.
“Come with me.”102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWRvltH1sI
He said. “I can protect you.”
102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4atPoKYCKW
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“I don’t need102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmcrZH1t7FB
your protection, Blade.” They hissed. “Eluvia has taken everything from me and102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqbBRF5M1Y
soon, we will take everything from you.” The removed a small capsule from their102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUw4ZzbGVq
pocket and smashed it on the ground. Black smoke erupted from inside causing102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtctO4tB4OQ
Vander to violently cough and fall to his knees. He tried to run out of the102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcc1D3c7Nw
smoke, but his legs were leaden. The last thing he saw before passing out was102Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmSX1eYTQ4
the assassin jumped into the garden and disappearing from the sight.
